Note: They do call the Rio Grande, the “Rio Sand” in Las Cruces at this time of year. I found a great bike trail that I thought was along the river…… but when I got there, there was no water (just sand!) It takes a while for the snow melt to make it this far.

Old Historic Mesilla

This was a major stop on the stagecoach route between San Antonio and San Diego. The quaint town square is anchored by the Basilica of San Albino with cute shops and restaurants. Wonderful old world Spanish homes.

You’re never too old!

Even with oxygen, you can’t keep this gentleman from singing and his wife from playing the tambourine.

White Sands National Monument

This is a 275 square mile area of gypsum sand dunes (the largest in the the world.) It’s like being at a beach without any water anywhere. Kids even bring saucers to sled down the dunes. We were just lucky that it was overcast and not very windy on the morning we visited. The sand is blinding!

White Sands Army Base: Missile Range and Museum

How many of you knew that Bob was is the Rocket Club in High School? He can tell you LOTS of things about rockets. Well this was Bob’s dream stop…rockets rockets everywhere.

Hatch NM - The Chili Pepper Capital of the World

Hatch has been on Richele’s list of things to do for a long time. They have an Annual Chili Pepper Fest over Labor Day, but since we were in the area, we decided to take a side trip to see this “famous” town. Well I hope the Chili Pepper Fest is fun…but the town without a festival was a little sad. Not sure we’ll be back. They do have a restaurant in town that has all these giant statues….but that’s about it.